Opening hours
Monday to Friday, all year round. During term time, sessions are from 7.20am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm and 3pm to 6.15pm. The holiday club also opens during school holidays from 7.20am until 6.15pm.
Space Cadets
Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2022)
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2022
Local authority
Staffordshire
About this day nursery
Space Cadets, located in Stoke-On-Trent, ST8 7DF, is a childcare setting on non-domestic premises that registered in 2015. The nursery received a "Good" rating from its latest Ofsted inspection on March 24, 2022.
The setting prides itself on providing a warm and friendly welcome to children, helping them settle quickly into routines and engage actively in play. Children at Space Cadets thrive in an environment that balances adult-led activities with child-initiated play, fostering confidence and strong emotional attachments with staff.
The dedicated team, consisting of four childcare staff all qualified to at least level 2 in early years, ensures continuity of care, with the manager being highly committed to her role and valuing staff well-being. The nursery maintains strong partnerships with parents, keeping them informed about their children's development through verbal updates and an online application.
Space Cadets operates all year round, open Monday to Friday, with specific session times during term time and extended hours for a holiday club, catering to children aged 2 to 11. The setting has a capacity for 32 children and currently has 84 on roll.
What it's like
Children receive a warm and friendly welcome from the manager and staff, settling quickly into routines and engaging with friends and resources. They make good progress through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated play, developing confidence and emotional security with staff. Children's behaviour is good, and they respond positively to gentle reminders to share, take turns, and be kind.
Good overall effectivenessEffective safeguardingStrong parent partnershipsEngaging outdoor play
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All_year
Established
2015
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Space Cadets
Last inspected 24 March 2022
Overall effectiveness
Good
What it's like to attend
Children receive a warm and friendly welcome from the manager and staff, settling quickly into routines and engaging with friends and resources. They make good progress through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated play, developing confidence and emotional security with staff. Children's behaviour is good, and they respond positively to gentle reminders to share, take turns, and be kind.
Inspector highlights
- Children receive a warm and friendly welcome from the manager and staff and quickly settle into routines.
- Children make good progress from their starting points through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated play.
- Children are confident and form emotional attachments with staff, helping them to feel safe and secure.
- The manager is ambitious and highly committed to her role, demonstrating pride in the setting's strengths.
- Parent partnerships are good, with information shared verbally and via an online application.
- Children benefit from daily opportunities to play outside and engage in imaginative play.
- Staff know the children well and act as excellent role models, engaging children in activities that build on their interests.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with robust recruitment and vetting procedures.
- Children are supported to develop an awareness of cultures beyond their own, learning about different festivals.
- Staff support children's communication and language skills, interacting well and asking open-ended questions.
Areas to develop
- 1Support staff to use more opportunities to help children consolidate their learning and understanding.
- 2Review and enhance the outdoor learning environment, particularly for those children who prefer to learn outdoors.
Inspection #10219653 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
Outdoor space
Children benefit from daily opportunities to play outside, enjoying climbing, balancing, and navigating apparatus in a large space connected to the host school. They have fun rolling and kicking balls and use their imagination in the mud kitchen. Staff join in their play with enthusiasm, though there is a need to enhance the outdoor environment for those who prefer to learn outside.
Parent Reviews of Space Cadets
5.0
(3)
Stephanie Curley
7 years ago
Great staff who run both a pre school and an out of hours provision. Loads of activities and trips. Children love it. Based at squirrel Hayes first school
Read on Google
Rob Leith
6 years ago
Excellent facilities catering for every pre-school child's needs, and fully integrated with Squirrel Hayes First School.
Read on Google
Laura Gayle
2 years ago
Reviews from Google for Space Cadets. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: August 2016
- March 2022Good
- August 2016Good
Frequently asked about Space Cadets
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